What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.
I swear, you just can’t go wrong with the classics. I wore MAC Satin Taupe Eye Shadow the other day for the first time in months. It’s a shimmery grayish purple in the MAC permanent line, and it’s been around since the days of the dinosaurs!
OK, not that long, but it has been around a while. It was one of the very first MAC shadows I ever picked up, and, and it wowed me from the start…
It’s just so dang pretty!
I didn’t do anything fancy with it this week — just the same standard-issue Satin Taupe look I’ve been doing for, oh, the past zillion years.
I needed to put on some makeup to record a video, so I lined my eyes with black liner, then took that same liner and smudged it on my lids and lower lash lines. Then I buffed out the black liner with a MAC 217 before patting Satin Taupe directly on top and blending everything together. A quick sweep of cool matte brown MAC Omega in my crease, and that was it. All done.
Easy, elegant and damned fast — which led me to think, “Dude, Karen! Why do you make things more difficult than they need to be? You should be doing this all the time!”
It was one of those “Doh!” forehead-to-palm moments when I question my life choices, LOL!
Anyway, with Satin Taupe, we’re talking must-have (yes, it’s that serious). You’ve probably seen it around in limited edition palettes here and there… Here it is in a couple of recent ones (MAC Brooke Shields Gravitas and the MAC Nordstrom Naturals palettes), but you can also find it as a single in the permanent line.
Here are a few of the reasons why I love it so much…
- It’s ridiculously flattering. No matter how cool, warm, pale or deep your skin tone is, or the color of your eyes, Satin Taupe werks!
- The finish is fabulous. It’s completely on point — shiny enough to catch the light and draw attention to your eyes, but far enough away from frosty not to emphasize your fine lines.
- It blends like buttah. MAC’s eyeshadow textures range from kitten-tum soft to rock hard, and Satin Taupe is one of the softest in the line. And that means that edges are easy to blur into other colors.
It’s a grrrrreat eyeshadow for beginners, by the way. Even if you have no idea what the heck you’re doing with that 217 or 224, Satin Taupe will work with you (instead of against), making it basically foolproof.
If you don’t have this one in your MAC collection yet, it needs to be there! Find it at MAC counters, stores and online for $16 as an Eye Shadow single or $10 as a refill pan.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The MAC Unsung Heroes series (a subset of my regular Unsung Makeup Heroes series) features some of my all-time favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection
If you’re looking for permanent collection ideas or inspiration, there are many more — HUNDREDS — unsung makeup heroes in the MBB archives. These 20 here are just the tip of the makeup-loving iceberg!
sarahc says
January 19th, 2016 at 7:52 pmKaren why you gotta give me another mac eyeshadow to want????? Not cool girl. 🙂
Diana says
January 19th, 2016 at 8:49 pmGirl. I’ve been following your blog since I first saw this shadow in MACs Smoke Signal launch. Lord I’m getting old! It’s an oldie but goodie!
Karen says
January 20th, 2016 at 9:26 amAhhh, Diana! So old school, I LOVE IT! 😀 Ya know, that collection is still one of my MAC fall faves. Love that one and Fabulous Felines, especially.
Karen recently posted … MAC Unsung Heroes: Satin Taupe Eye Shadow
Savannah says
January 19th, 2016 at 10:08 pmI’m not sure if I love this one on me… I think I used to (once upon a time) and I tried a look with it a while ago and it didn’t work out… I’ll have to give it another go. I’m not even sure if I still have one in my collection anymore (got rid of all of my old powders from ’10)
BUT it looks AHmazing on you Karen! Geez, brown eyed beauty much? You look great! I hope all is going well with you and baby girl!
Savannah says
January 19th, 2016 at 10:09 pmOoh, any chance you could list your full face? I love this whole look you’ve got going on!
Karen says
January 20th, 2016 at 9:25 amHi Savannah,
Thank you! You’re in luck; I just filmed a tutorial for this look. 🙂 I’ll have it up soon!
Karen recently posted … MAC Unsung Heroes: Satin Taupe Eye Shadow
Savannah says
January 23rd, 2016 at 11:02 pmThank you! <3
Brandee says
January 19th, 2016 at 11:05 pmFull face details pretty please- you look awesome ?
Karen says
January 20th, 2016 at 9:24 amHi Brandee,
I have a tutorial of this looking coming up soon. Stay tuned!
Karen recently posted … MAC Unsung Heroes: Satin Taupe Eye Shadow
LindaLibraLoca says
January 20th, 2016 at 3:01 amOne of my staples. I actually need to restock, mine is completely empty.
LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel – What a difference a day makes
Kiss & Make-up says
January 20th, 2016 at 4:02 amPlenty of reasons to give this plenty of luuuuurve it seems! 😀
Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Video review | Sheet Mask Battle (Dizao versus Lovemore)
Chris25 says
January 20th, 2016 at 6:29 amI’m all for fool-proof makeup! Lol Plus, that shadow looks fabulous on you.
Chris25 recently posted … Vintage Library Pendant Necklace by Starmek Creations
Janessa says
January 20th, 2016 at 9:20 amI L-O-V-E this color. It’s been one of my standards for years, along with Trax and my last little pan of French Grey… French Grey is another oldie but goodie for and quick thrown together look 🙂
Jax says
January 20th, 2016 at 9:45 amI love Satin Taupe, I think it was gateway to Taupe addiction!
I’m going to have to pick up some Omega though 🙂
Rachel R. says
January 20th, 2016 at 10:38 amSatin Taupe is amazing. I don’t even like taupe, and I think it’s amazing.
Jennifae says
January 20th, 2016 at 10:45 amAh, Satin Taupe… I wasn’t a big fan at first (many MANY years ago when I was more into brights), but it’s been a staple in my collection for a few years now.
Jennifae recently posted … Win MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick!
Tatiana says
January 20th, 2016 at 11:26 amThere was one time about 12 years ago my, then very young, daughter dragged my husband to Nordies so he could help her pay for a Christmas gift for me. When I opened the package it was a refillable MAC four pan palette and one of the shadows she picked out for me was Satin Taupe. One of my favs.
Ann says
January 20th, 2016 at 12:26 pmA bit off topic, but who makes your sweater? I love the color, looks great on you!
Kelly B. says
January 21st, 2016 at 4:53 amThis is one of my favorite all-time shadows from MAC! Whoever came up with this was a genius, I don’t know of many more flattering and beautiful shades than this!
Kelly B. recently posted … Proactiv 3-Step System Review
Amanda says
January 22nd, 2016 at 12:19 pmSatin Taupe was the first MAC product I ever purchased! It was also featured in one of my fave MAC holiday items so far, the Velvet 6 Smoked Eyes palette 🙂 definitely a must-have!
Ditte K. says
October 14th, 2019 at 9:19 amI’m buying this right now, hoping it will be an exact dupe to my almost used up taupe in the Nars kalahari duo 🙂